The Tuscaloosa AMBER Plan is a voluntary partnership between law-enforcement agencies and broadcasters to activate an urgent bulletin in the most serious child-abduction cases. AMBER is an acronym for America ’s Missing Broadcast Emergency Response.
Broadcasters use the Emergency Alert System (EAS), formerly called the Emergency Broadcast System, to air a description of the missing child and suspected abductor. This is the same concept used during severe weather emergencies.
Statistics show that in the most serious child abduction cases 74% of the children murdered by nonfamily members are killed within the first three hours of their abduction.
The AMBER Plan focuses on those critical moments immediately after an abduction occurs to immediately disseminate as much useful information as possible to public. This instantly galvanizes the community to assist in the search for the child and the abductor before it is too late.
History of the AMBER Plan
The AMBER Plan was created in 1996 as a powerful legacy to 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, a bright little girl who was kidnapped and brutally murdered while riding her bicycle in Arlington, Texas. The tragedy shocked and outraged the entire community. Residents contacted radio stations in the Dallas area and suggested they broadcast special “alerts” over the airwaves so that they could help prevent such incidents in the future.
How the AMBER Plan works
Once law enforcement has been notified about an abducted child, they must first determine if the case meets the AMBER Plan’s criteria for triggering an
alert.
- Law enforcement confirms a child has been abducted, and
- Law enforcement believes the circumstances surrounding the abduction
indicate that the child is in danger of serious bodily harm or death, and - There is enough descriptive information about the child, abductor, and/or
suspect’s vehicle to believe an immediate broadcast alert will help
If these criteria are met, alert information is put together for public distribution. This information can include descriptions and pictures of the missing child, the suspected abductor, a suspected vehicle, and any other information available and valuable to identifying the child and suspect.
The information is then faxed to the Emergency Management Agency (EMA). The EMA sends the information via the EAS system to the primary EAS station in this area.
The primary station sends the same information to area radio and television stations and cable systems via the EAS, and it is immediately broadcast by
participating stations to thousands of listeners.
Radio stations interrupt programming to announce the Alert, and television stations and cable systems run a “crawl” on the screen along with a picture of the child.
Criteria to be met before the activation of the Child Abduction Alert
The Tuscaloosa AMBER plan will be set in motion for the Tuscaloosa area by one of the cooperating police agencies when a child abduction is reported and investigation reveals that:
- A child has been abducted as defined by 13A-6-40 Alabama Criminal Code, AND;
- The child is less than 16 years old, (16 or 17 year old children will be considered on a case by case basis, given weight to their physical and/or mental capacity, or their own criminal conduct contributing to the disappearance.), AND;
- The child is at risk of serious bodily harm or death, AND;
- There is enough descriptive information about the child, abductor, and/or
suspect’s vehicle to believe an immediate broadcast alert will help investigators locate the child.
Purpose of the Child Abduction AMBER Alert
- To provide a rapid response to the most serious child abduction cases.
- To gain the assistance of thousands of television viewers and radio listeners throughout the coverage area.
- To coerce the kidnapper to release the child for fear of arrest.
- To deter persons from committing the crime.
Memorandum of Understanding Between participating agencies in the Tuscaloosa Area AMBER Plan
This agreement governs the use of the Tuscaloosa area AMBER Plan, a partnership between Law Enforcement agencies in Tuscaloosa County and broadcasters for response to the abduction of children.
Law Enforcement:
The use of the Tuscaloosa area AMBER Plan is permitted by the participating agencies upon the following circumstances:
- The agency head has established a Protocol, Special Order, General Order, or Standard Operating Procedure governing the use of the AMBER Plan.
- The agencies staff have been trained on the criteria for the activation, as well as the review process, and;
- The agency agrees not to trigger any alert where all four criteria as outlined in the plan has not been met, and;
- The agency has specified the person(s) within the agency authorized to activate the Tuscaloosa area AMBER Plan.
Participating Law Enforcement Agencies:
Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office
Tuscaloosa Police Department
Northport Police Department
University of Alabama Department of Public Safety
To Learn more access the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
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